BACK TO THE FUTURE - DANIEL 11:1-19
In chapter 11 we find a series of prophetic events, beginning from the “first” year of
Darius, the Medo-Persian, king in (539 B.C.); and ending with the last Gentile ruler in
the “end times.” Chapter eleven naturally divides into two sections; (v.1-35) describes
the major rulers of the Persian Empire, along with major events following Alexander
the Great; and concludes with Antiochus Epiphanes (175-164 B.C.). (v.36-45) deals with
the last Gentile ruler who will be in power when Christ comes in His “second advent.”
Much of this chapter will sound like a history lesson but, in fact, it is a “faith” lesson;
and a testament to the inerrancy, of God’s word! In a year of “political” promises, it’s
good to know God’s promises remain true and will come to pass. "God is not a man, that He
should lie, Nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will
He not make it good? (Numbers 23:19) The “fulfillment”
of God’s prophetic word serves as a
source of comfort and confidence for every follower of Christ.
(v.1, 2) The one speaking here is the angel from (10:18); he declares his “support” for
the king of Persia, Darius the Mede, from the beginning of his reign in Babylon. In
regards to the Medo-Persian Empire the angel declares, (v.2a); that is, “the truth of what
will come to pass in the future,” according to the “Scripture of Truth,” (10:21). Daniel is told
there will be three kings of Persia, followed by a fourth king who will be greater than
the previous three; historically these four kings were; Cambyses (cam-bi-sis) (529-522 B.C.) –
Psuedo-Smerdis (522-521 B.C.) – Darius I Hystapes (“his-tapes”) (521-486 B.C.; Ezra 5, 6) – and the fourth king,
Xerxes I (486-465 B.C.; a.k.a. “Ahasuerus” - Ezra 4:6). Xerxes is the king who led the great expedition against
Greece; portrayed in the movie “300.” The military campaign he launched in 480 B.C., however, would prove
disastrous.
(v.3, 4) The “mighty king” is Alexander the Great. Xerxes would “stir up,” other
nations against Greece. The violent conflict between Persia and Greece is highlighted in
chapter 8, with Daniel’s vision of the “ram” and the “male goat.” Alexander’s kingdom
will be “broken up,” “divided toward the four winds”; that is his four generals, will
divide his kingdom, into four regions, after his death, 323 B.C. These generals, however,
will never achieve Alexander’s “posterity,” (power and success), (v.4m). This prophecy
received in 539 B.C., was revealed to Daniel some 216 years before the death of
Alexander the Great!
(v.5) This prophecy reveals the beginning of a 150-year struggle between the kings of
the “north,” Syria – starting with Seleucus I Nicator (312-281 B.C.) - and the kings of
the “south,” Egypt – beginning with; Ptolemy I Soter (323-285 B.C.). Many believe
“Seleucus” was the “prince” referred to here (v.5m). Historians tells us: Seleucus fled Antigonus
of Babylon, and was temporarily associated with Ptolemy I (king of the south). They combined their forces and
defeated Antigonus, which then enabled Seleucus to gain control of the entire region from Asia Minor to India,
and in time Seleucus became more powerful than Ptolemy, the ruler of Egypt, (v.5b).
(v.6) For political purposes, to unite the two nations, an “inter-marriage” was arranged
between Syria and Egypt. Historians tell us: The king of the south, who at this time was, Ptolemy II
Philadelphus (285-246 B.C.); and his daughter Berenice (bear-ren-ni-cee), was given in marriage to the king of the
north, Antiochus II Theos (261-246 B.C.); the marriage took place around 252 B.C. – In order to “facilitate” the
marriage, Antiochus was required to divorce his current wife, Laodiceia (lay-o-dee-cia) or (Laodice); in order to
“solidify” the peace-agreement between the two nations, (v.6a). Verse (v.6b) reveals the union was unsuccessful;
thus, we read (v.6m), “she shall not retain the power of her authority.” Within a few years Ptolemy II Philadelphus
dies, and Antiochus II Theos, takes back his wife Laodice. To get “revenge,” for the way she was treated Laodice
murders her husband, his Egyptian wife and the infant son of Antiochus and Berenice. See (v.6b); the phrase,
“with him who begot her” refers to Ptolemy II, Berenice’s father; and “him who strengthened her” refers to
Antiochus II Theos, who married Berenice. The detailed fulfillment
of this prophecy, in (v.6), 300
years before it happened, is amazing!
(v.7-9) These verses speak of the “new” king of the south by the name of Ptolemy III
Euergetes (ur-er-ge-tees) (246-221 B.C.). The phrase (v.7a), “Branch of her (Berenice’s) roots,”
implies; Ptolemy III is Bernice’s brother. He prevails militarily over the king of the
“north,” Seleucus Callinicus (cal-li-ni-cus) (247-226 B.C.). Ptolemy III enters the fortress of the
king of the north. One Biblical historian writes: “He ravaged the kingdom of Seleucus and carried off…forty
thousand talents of silver…and images of gods to the amount of two and a half thousand.” (Jerome). Seleucus
Callinicus (king of the north), several years later, would launch an unsuccessful attack against Egypt in 240 B.C.
(v.9). This started a series of “seesaw” battles between the two nations, (Egypt and Syria), mentioned in (v.10-19).
(v.10-17) The king of the north’s “sons” (these are Seleucus Callinicus’ (cal-li-ni-cus)
sons – v.7-9); they would be more successful, over the king of the south, (v.10a). His one
son, Antiochus III the Great (223-187 B.C.), would launch several military campaigns against Egypt. Eventually
Syria would “prevail” over Egypt; and the Holy Land would come under Syrian control (v.16b). History records, in
217 B.C. the Syrians were defeated by the Egyptians, (v.11, 12). In 203 B.C. (the king of the south) Ptolemy
Philopator (fil-lopa-tor) (221-203 B.C.), and his queen died “mysteriously” and were succeeded by their “infant”
son, Ptolemy V Epiphanes. In the year 201 B.C. Antiochus III the Great, managed to assemble another great army
and started a “new” series of attacks, against Egypt, (v.13-16). The expression in (v.14) “violent men of your
people” – reveals many of the Jews will ally themselves with Antiochus the Great, and attack the Egyptian
garrison left in the citadel of Jerusalem. The Egyptians would eventually surrender to the Syrians at Sidon, located
on the Mediterranean coast in modern day Lebanon in 199-198 B.C. (v.15b). Antiochus arranged a diplomatic
settlement with Egypt by marrying his daughter Cleopatra, to the young king Ptolemy V Epiphanes, (who was only
seven years old), (v.17b); (this is not the Cleopatra VII/Mark Antony). The phrase “to destroy it” – reveals,
Antiochus the Great wanted his daughter to influence the young king, and bring about the “demise” of the
Egyptian nation, but his “plot” fails; because Cleopatra, his daughter, would turn against her father, (v.17b). (Young
– Daniel Comm. Pg. 262; Walvoord; Ptolemaic Dynasty en.m.wikipedia.org).
(v.18, 19) Antiochus the III the Great, then “launches” a campaign along the Mediterranean coast. But, “…a
ruler shall bring the reproach against them to an end…” (v.18b). The “reproach” refers to the “scornful treatment”
Antiochus brought upon the Roman ambassadors, who came to meet with him. As a result, Antiochus was attacked
and defeated, in a battle SE of Ephesus, by the Roman General Scipio (sip-pio or skip-pio), in 189 B.C. This Roman
“victory” over Syria would pave the way for later Roman expansion, in the middle-east. Antiochus III the Great
returns to his land, defeated and “broken,” (v.19). He was later killed trying to plunder a temple in Elam, an ancient
city located in modern day southern Iraq, near the Tigris River. The Syrian king, Antiochus the Great, was then
succeeded by Seleucus IV Philopator (fil-lopa-tor) (187-175 B.C); he was succeeded by the “notorious” persecutor of
the Jews, Antiochus Epiphanes (175-164 B.C.), who is mentioned in (v.21-35), hundreds of years before his time.
APPLICATION:
Today is Valentine’s Day. The oldest known valentine still in existence today was a poem
written in 1415 by Charles, Duke of Orleans, to his wife while he was imprisoned in the Tower of London
following his capture at the “Battle of Agincourt,” (A-gin-court). The greeting is now part of the manuscript
collection of the British Library in London, England. However, there’s a much earlier “valentine” written to all
mankind, it is “God’s prophetic word.” God foretells His loving “desire” to save mankind; exposing His heart, and
then nailing it to a cross, for you and for me!
In each fulfilled prophecy God is saying, “I love
you!” “Will you be mine?” Christian Theologian John F. Walvoord writes: “The precise accuracy of the
prophecy written by Daniel…is a support for the accuracy of scriptural prophecy as a whole.” (John F. Walvoord).
And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place,
until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is
of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were
moved by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1:19-21) Thus
we can trust the whole of God’s word! A. W. Tozer
once said: “Nothing less than a whole Bible can make a whole Christian.” (A.W. Tozer) The word of God is a
sure foundation in “uncertain” times! It was Corrie Ten Boom who said: “Never be afraid to
trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie Ten Boom.
CONCLUSION: Prophecy emboldens our faith, to believe God for the impossible, as
we rest in the assurance of His word! He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of
God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you
may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. (1 John
5:12-13)